The company said on Thursday the drilling rig had been “shaken down” (performance tested) and was ready to move to the site of the first well to start drilling this month. However, Triple’s drilling team did not accept some ancillary drilling equipment as being ready.

In addition, China’s winter season has arrived earlier than anticipated, with snowfalls and temperatures forecast to be between minus 15 and minus 35 degrees Celsius, and thus rendering the rig unworkable.

“The